Blame for rebel R360 league plans at rugby union’s door September 9, 2025 Rugby union’s unwillingness to develop and progress has fuelled rebel rugby leagues like R360, a new report has concluded. The lack of a cohesive plan to attract new audiences, and minimal cooperation to get the game on free-to-air television more often, has allowed for new, alternative ideas to flood the discussion vacuum. R360 – which [...]
Newcastle unveil new logo after major Red Bull investment September 9, 2025 Newcastle have unveiled their new branding having been purchased by energy drinks giant Red Bull in the summer. The Prem Rugby club faced severe financial woes last season but could now, theoretically, be one of the wealthiest clubs in the game after being given “wiiings” by their new owners. Red Bull’s sporting portfolio contains a [...]
French Top 14 balances financial ambition with sensible watchdog September 5, 2025 The return of Prem Rugby may be another few weeks away but action in one of Europe’s big three leagues begins this weekend. The French Top 14 is back on our screens and is an example of just how brilliant domestic rugby can be. It leverages the love of rugby among its watching public with [...]
London Broncos set for takeover led by NRL legend Darren Lockyer September 4, 2025 Brisbane Broncos rugby league legend Darren Lockyer has emerged as the face of a consortium looking to take over Super League hopefuls London Broncos. Seen as one of the best rugby league players of all time, the NRL stalwart is set to lead a takeover of the Championship club in an investment boost for rugby [...]
Salford Red Devils handed HMRC lifeline by tax authorities September 3, 2025 Super League side Salford Red Devils have had a winding-up petition issued by HMRC adjourned for a second time. City AM exclusively revealed in May that the troubled rugby league club had been hit with a winding-up petition by tax authorities after it was reported that the club owed HMRC £500,000. But the petition was [...]
British and Irish Lions tour clears £30m Rugby Australia debt September 2, 2025 Revenue generated by the British and Irish Lions rugby tour to Australia has helped the hosts to be debt-free for the first time since 2021. The nine-match, three-Test tour Down Under allowed Rugby Australia to pay off the £30m it owed Pacific Equity Partners having taken out a £39m loan in 2023. It is the [...]
Nyetimber muscle out Bollinger to partner with England Rugby September 1, 2025 Sparkling wine producer Nyetimber has muscled out French firm Bollinger to become an official partner of England Rugby ahead of the autumn internationals. The deal ends a 24 year relationship between the well-known champagne house and England, and is a coup for the West Sussex-, Kent- and Hampshire-based firm with the national rugby team sponsored [...]
Free-to-air TV should be crucial pillar for rugby union August 29, 2025 Whether it be the Women’s Rugby World Cup pulling in millions of viewers on the BBC or the Six Nations being a staple of Saturday afternoon TV guide planning, free-to-air is crucial for a sport like rugby union. It is a sport that needs eye balls and a sport that thrives off being given prime [...]
London Broncos apply to be Super League expansion club August 27, 2025 The London Broncos rugby league team have applied to join an expanded Super League next season, the club have confirmed. Super League is growing from 12 teams to 14 in time for the 2026 season, with the Broncos one of 12 clubs expressing an interest in joining the English top flight. “London Broncos can confirm [...]
Women’s Rugby World Cup opener peaks at 2.4m viewers August 26, 2025 England’s opening Women’s Rugby World Cup match against the USA peaked at nearly 2.5m as records tumbled during the competition’s opening weekend. The 69-7 victory over the States was watched by an average 1.5m viewers on BBC 1 while the 42,723 in attendance at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light surpassed the crowd for the previous final, [...]